By Chris Cox
For Kim Pickett, seeing her kids wear the Altus colors and compete for the Bulldogs just feels right.
“All three of my kids went or go to Altus High School and they are the third generation to do so,” she says. “My parents graduated from Altus, then I did, and now they have, or will.”
As a mom of three, Kim has seemingly been around sports for much of her adult life.
“All my kids played everything when they were little,” Kim says “But in high school they got a little more honed in. My son, Carson (22), was mostly basketball and my son Mason (21) swam. My daughter Hailey (17), she’s done a little bit of everything. She’s played basketball, run track, and she’s mascot this year for the Altus cheerleaders. She also played softball when she was little.”
Pickett, who is also a registered nurse, believe playing sports from a young age is important for a kid’s development and she and her husband, Greg, encouraged all of their kids to get involved in athletics early.
“I think it gives your kids character and grit,” she says. “It also teaches life lessons like being a part of team and what it’s like to lose. Sometimes you can give 110 percent and it still not be enough. More than anything I want my kids to develop resiliency and grit and to learn to not give up.”
Kim makes a point to not just cheer on her kids at their various events but to also cheer on and support their teammates.
“I just try to cheer all the kids on,” she says. “I’m always making snacks or something to eat since kids are bottomless pits of hunger. I’m kind of known on the track team for my Fruity Pebble Rice Krispies.”
Kim also takes it upon herself to actively cheer and support the kids whose parents might not be there that day.
“I know parents have to work and can’t always be there,” she says. “When I see those kids I’ll go cheer and take their pictures. I just think every kid needs to look up in the stands and see someone cheering for them and hear that.”
Congratulations to Kim Pickett for being named the Altus Area Mom of the Month!
